Since recreational use of cannabis is allowed across multiple states in the US, you can start growing your supplies if you live in one of them. Before you begin, you should be aware that growing marijuana indoors comes with a few challenges you will have to face to get the best results.
There’s a lot of information that can confuse you and feel overwhelming, so you must understand how everything works. Here’s a quick guide aimed to help first-time growers and make the entire cannabis-growing process much more manageable.
Step 1 – Create the right cannabis grow room
The first thing you have to set up to grow your cannabis is a grow room or space. If you’re short on space, a grow tent, or a closet will do just fine. The only thing you should consider is that it has enough room for your plants and the rest of the equipment.
Even though it might be tempting to start big, you should start small. Doing so will make the first grow easier to manage, and it won’t be costly.
Your grow space should have enough room for fully-grown plants, it should be easy to clean, and it should be completely closed once you turn on the lights. If you live in a wet area with lots of rain, make sure that your grow box is set in a cool, dry area.
Step 2 – Choose your grow lights
Your final yield depends largely on the quality of your grow lights. That’s why you should spare no expense when buying lights. There are multiple types of lights you can buy. Here’s a quick overview of each type:
HID grow lights
HID stands for high-intensity discharge, and this type of light is considered as the industry standard. It is very efficient and cost-effective. They are expensive, but they produce a lot of light, considering how much power they use. You will also need a ballast and hood/reflector for each light, and since HID bulbs produce a lot of heat, you’ll also need proper ventilation and exhaust fans.
Fluorescent grow lights
This type of light uses T5 bulbs, and it’s the best choice for small scale growers and beginners. They are cheap, and they come with all accessories you need to start growing. They also don’t generate a lot of heat, so you don’t need a cooling system.
LED grow lights
LED grow lights are becoming hugely popular among growers as they don’t use a lot of power and don’t produce a lot of heat. Furthermore, these lights provide a better quality light, allowing you to get better yields. The only drawback is that they are by far the most expensive option on the market.
Step 3 – Provide your plants with enough air
Fresh air is crucial for your plants to grow, but they also need CO2 for photosynthesis. That’s why you need a steady airflow in your grow box. You will need an exhaust fan whose size depends on the size of the grow box itself and the type of light you choose. A wall-mounted fan should do the tick, just don’t aim it directly at your plants.
Step 4 – Choose the right climate controls
Once you have everything you need, including the best quality cannabis seeds in the US, you will also need the right climate controls and monitoring system. The most expensive units will take care of all controls automatically. They are the best choice for beginners, but they are also very expensive.
The cheaper models require manual settings, which means that you’ll have to keep a close eye on the growing process regularly. The best option is to go with a combination of hygrometer/thermostat and high/low memory feature.
Step 5 – Pick your cannabis growth medium
You can grow your cannabis using two mediums, soil or hydroponics. Soil is the best option for first-time growers as it’s very forgiving and easily maintained. You just need some pre-fertilized soil and a few nutrients to kick-start the process. On the other hand, hydroponics doesn’t need soil, but it does require an entire system that is much more expensive and harder to manage.
Step 6 – Get the right nutrients
The only way you can get high-quality cannabis is by using the right nutrients as it grows. Here’s a list of the nutrients you will need:
- Nitrogen (N)
- Potassium (K)
- Phosphorus (P)
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Copper
Also, make sure that the pH level of the water you use is between 6 and 7 if you grow in soil and 5.5 and 6.5 if you use hydroponics.
Step 7 – Water your plants regularly
You must water your plants regularly, but you can’t use tap water to do it. Some areas have water with high amounts of dissolved minerals, which is not good for cannabis plants. The best option is to use filtered water, and even then, you should be careful not to use too much.
The Bottom Line
Growing your cannabis is a rewarding process that will require some extra effort to provide the best results. As you keep working on your skills, you will get a better understanding of how things work, and your growing techniques will help you get better yields. Spend some time with your plants, and you will get to know them better. Good luck!
Interesting related article: “What is CBD?“